Join the Lakeland Revival for round three

Tired of queuing for routes down your local wall or even worse at your local sport crag? We've got an idea to get you a bit further afield. Join the Lakeland Revival by ticking off one of our brand new Route Cards or submitting your personal story online to be in with a chance to win some Arc’teryx kit.

Known as the birthplace of British rock climbing after Haskett Smith soloed Napes Needle in the late 1800s, the Lake District is rich in heritage and climbing history. Us Brits have a deep routed drive to explore the mountains, sea cliffs and whatever rock we can get our hands on. But unfortunately some crags in the Lakes have seen less and less traffic and routes are becoming lost.

We need you

So what can you do to make sure we keep this historic climbing area alive? You need to dust off that trad rack and join the Lakeland Revival. The Lakeland Revival is an Arc’teryx initiative that aims to get more traffic through the climbs in this area.

Jeremy Barlow from the National Trust told us: “It’s a great initiative and it’s relevant to everything we’re about as an organisation – protecting fantastic heritage, getting people outdoors and enjoying all the wonderful places we help look after.

"The thing I Iove about Lake District climbing is that there are so many fantastic stories associated with just about every crag and valley. You can go out climbing today and feel that real link with the past.”

New year, new format

Now in its third year, the format of the revival has been developed. Here is how to get involved for 2016:

Call into one of the local retailers: Needle Sports, George Fishers, The Climber’s Shop or Epicentre and collect a route card.

You have the choice of five different cards each featuring 20 different climbs.

Each card has a list of lovingly hand-picked climbs by either Fell and Rock Climbing Club, the BMC, local retailers, Arc’teryx or the British Mountain Guides.

They all have a different focus so you could get a sneak peek at the local gems or even go and climb Hazel Findlay’s favourite Lake District route.

Trevor from Needle Sports, one of the four retailer partners working with Lakeland Revival, explained why they were keen to be involved for the third year running: “All our staff are mega keen climbers and it pains us to see the Lakeland crags not being climbed on. Climbing walls are great for training, but the real test and rewards are all to be gained outside in the elements and nature.

"Hopefully Lakeland Revival will encourage more climbers to seek out new crags and boulders across the Lake District.”

Route Cards

The route cards will all go into a draw and three random lucky winners will win an Arc’teryx trad climbing outfit. Every route you tick on the card counts as an entry into the draw.

PLEASE NOTE: Fool’s Paradise, Gowder Crag has a loose block, while a number of other crags will have restricted access due to nesting birds in the early summer. For more information, check the BMC's Regional Access Database (RAD) and speak with the local retailers.

Rob Dyer, BMC access and conservation officer, said: “The Lakes has some of the best mountain rock around and with hidden gems across the grades, there are few better places to get your trad fix – not to mention tons of fantastic pubs and cafes for evening festivities.

"There are climbing restrictions on some crags lasting up until the end of June, which give rare cliff-nesting birds the space they need to fledge their young. These can also be lifted early so it’s always worth checking the RAD before making a plan for the day to see if the crag you’ve set your sights on is climbable. Beyond that, get out there and sink your teeth into some prime Lakeland adventures – you won’t regret it.”

Check out the route lists below and make sure you pop into one of the local retailers to pick up a card.

What else?

The Lakeland Revival wants to revive more than just the routes in the Lake District. With such a rich climbing culture it wants to revisit the history, stories, people and the adventures had when climbing. Get involved by telling your stories, old or new all are welcome, submit your story online here.

Brian from The Climber’s Shop, who has been involved for the last three years, says: "If the Lake District and, in fact, traditional climbing in general starts to lose its appeal to the next generation of climbers then I feel we are doing a disservice to all the early pioneers who made our sport what it is today. In the Lake District we have a duty to keep our traditional style of climbing alive and well."

If all this talk of preserving our climbing history still isn’t enough persuasion to get you to the Lakes then you could also win some Arc’teryx kit by climbing a route or submitting a story. Three lucky people will win an Arc’teryx trad climbing outfit by submitting their Route Cards to one of the retailers. Or you could submit your story online and be in with a chance to win an Arc’teryx Psiphon FL jacket.

How to get involved

So once again here's what you need to do:

1. Plan a trip to the area and get stuck in with some of the most unique and beautifully located climbing this country has to offer.

2. Not sure where to climb? Check out our Route Cards here or pop into the Sticklebarn, Langdale, or one of the local retailers to pick one up. In the North Lakes, call in at Needle Sports or George Fisher, both based in Keswick. The South Lakes has The Climber’s Shop or Epicentre, both in Ambleside.

3. Once you've had your grand day out, make sure you tell us about it; we want to hear about your stories, experiences and adventures.

4. Submit your story online here or your route card in store to be in with a chance to win.

The Arc’teryx Big Mountain Weekend will be taking place from the 3rd - 5th May at the Sticklebarn in the beautiful Langdale Valley, Lake District. The aim of the event is to educate, share and improve skills necessary for enjoying the mountains and crags safely.
Read more »

Did you know that you can check the winter conditions in the Lake District from anywhere? There are live monitoring systems on Great End - one of the most reliable Lakes winter crags, and another on Helvellyn - an incredibly popular but also botanically sensitive winter venue.
Read more »

The Arc’teryx Big Mountain Weekend will be taking place from the 3rd - 5th May at the Sticklebarn in the beautiful Langdale Valley, Lake District. The aim of the event is to educate, share and improve skills necessary for enjoying the mountains and crags safely.
Read more »

Did you know that you can check the winter conditions in the Lake District from anywhere? There are live monitoring systems on Great End - one of the most reliable Lakes winter crags, and another on Helvellyn - an incredibly popular but also botanically sensitive winter venue.
Read more »

YOUTH & EQUITY

The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) is the representative body that exists
to protect the freedoms and promote the interests of climbers, hill walkers and
mountaineers, including ski-mountaineers. The BMC recognises that climbing, hill
walking and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death.
Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be
responsible for their own actions.